Cafe Avanti

Went with a group of 11 and we sat in the main dining area. This is not the place for large groups because we had one server (Tudor) and he wasn’t able to provide proper service to us with all of the other tables he had. Seemed like a good place for a date night (based on what I was seeing at other tables). Unfortunately, we weren’t told that if we wanted lobster risotto we had to order it 45 minutes in advance until I ordered it, so I got the branzino. The time between apps being served and dinner was 40 minutes regardless so I ended up eating lots of bread between the cafe Avanti salad (I got it without cheese and really enjoyed it) and the branzino. Food was good, service was bad, not really a place I would recommend driving to but if you live in the area it’s worth popping by

We had the pleasure of dining at this exquisite Italian restaurant for the first time, and it truly exceeded our expectations! The food was absolutely wonderful, with homemade tiramisu that was to die for. The ambiance was charming and elegant, and the staff were all delightful. The owner was particularly welcoming, making us feel right at home. Overall, an exceptional experience that we can’t wait to repeat.

This is our family’s favorite local restaurant—always consistent. You show up, and they know your name and exactly what you like. We love it. They support North Beach Elementary, and they’re conveniently located right here on 41st. Parking is always easy. Honestly, we can only say the best things about this place: great food at a great price without any pretentiousness.

This place was hands down one of the best authentic Italian restaurants I have visited! The wait staff was very attentive and pleasant! I travel often and eat Italian foods whenever in a new place and I will definitely travel back to Miami Beach just for this restaurant! The atmosphere is great for a date night as well!

A cozy place with a truly homey atmosphere and excellent Italian cuisine. I ordered pasta and tiramisu; everything was fresh and delicious, and the service was warm and attentive.

Cafe Avanti was a fantastic experience! We went late on a Saturday evening, the weekend following Thanksgiving. There were not many patrons, presumably due to travel and home-cooked meals, however parking was a little weird. We parked in the back, but everything worked out well. They do not have a strict dress code. The service was top notch. Our waiter was experienced, well-versed in the menu, and on top of everything. His recommendations were excellent as well. For appetizers, we had the Carpaccio Di Manzo (not my favorite)and the Meatballs (so good). For entrees, we had the chicken parmesan and the lasagna both were really good. The wine was excellent as well! Highly recommend.

Warm but inattentive service. I was rationing the last third of my water like a desert war victim. Bread comes with meal. Branzino was tasty and fell apart easy. Greens that came with the fish were bitter. Wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone as I wasn’t checked on until the very end of my meal. Small detail, the waiter said it would come with mixed vegetables and instead came a bed of broccolini. Ambiance and branding are nothing special for the price point.

Warm, inviting, wonderful experience. From the moment we entered, staff was prompt, nice and professional. My dad is a vegetarian and they made him something special. Highly recommend the snapper and the lemon pollo. Bolognese lasagna was delicious too! I would come back!

The low-key spot in a middle storefront (i.e. not on the corner), the curtains, the dim lights and classic decor transport you to mid 80's New York and that meeting with John Gotti, or feel like a tech bro just wanting to enjoying a solo dinner of Italian comfort dishes. I'd heard about Cafe Avanti, a mid-Beach institution, because one of my favorite local chefs (Klime K.) worked here, but today I stopped after getting a vitamin IV a few blocks away. Seeing through the window menu that they had soup just about sealed the deal. I strolled during dinner service in my tech bro finery (hoodie & jeans) and was able to sit at the bar. Even though the restaurant was packed with diners as well as what looked like a catered event, I received great service. It was packed, it was crowded and that brings me a smile. There were a few other "regulars" at the bar, since the wait staff seemed to know them and their fav dishes. One of the gents sitting by me had an order large enough that he had enough to take out. Generous portions are always a plus! My plate of Pasta Fagioli (canellini beans, prosciutto bits and noodles) was warm & hearty enough to beat the high 60's outside. I added some of the baguette pieces from the generous bread service - with both butter & balsamic vinegar - at the start. As far as mains, I enjoyed (the whole plate, no takeout) of a classic spaghetti & meatballs. Two large veal meatballs crowned a plate of slightly past aldente spaghetti with a generous helping of marinara. I also asked for extra sprinkled black pepper instead of cheese. A warm latte closed out the night for me, and that makes a great low key Italian dinner!

After craving pasta all day, I popped into Café Avanti for a post-work dinner and glass of wine. I arrived a little after 6:00 p.m. on a Monday and cozied up at the bar. I was warmly greeted by the bartender, Ana, who immediately felt like a friend. I ordered the Pollo Fiorentina, which is sauteed with lemon and white wine served over spinach. The chicken was PERFECTLY cooked - it was tasty, delicate, and a large portion (definitely took half home for leftovers). With that said, I did not get my pasta fix, so I ordered off-menu, taking a cue from my bar-mate who is a regular. He ordered a penne vodka to-go for his kids, so I ordered the same. I have very high standards for penne vodka and this is one of the best I've ever had - layers of flavor! I dined alone, but the general ambiance and family-like atmosphere make this a kid-friendly restaurant - there were kids of all ages having dinner with their families throughout the restaurant. The food is moderately priced and worth every penny. I definitely plan on returning to Café Avanti for its spectacular food (so many things on the menu that I want to try), amazing service, and great vibes. You will feel right at home at this local neighborhood spot where you are greeted with warm smiles.

I definitely recommend this place! When I walked in the server was super friendly and Told us we could get chicken piccata instead of veal and spaghetti in the piccata sauce. I definitely recommend this dish and I shared it with my daughter who LOVED IT! I didn't even ask and they split our portions so it was very easy to share. This place has many large tables so great for large families and gatherings. The lighting is cozy and the music is soft. The bar is in the back so you have plenty of natural light while dining. The bread was crispy outside and warm and the by the glass wine list is extensive and affordable.

The food is amazing & delicious! This was our first time here visiting Miami Beach.The service is tremendous & spot on. The ambiance is great too. It's a great Italian restaurant here in Miami Beach !

Great Italian restaurant! It's an older restaurant, so the decor and vibe are vintage! The food is good. I wasn't particularly impressed, but it was good. I had spicy shrimp pasta; the shrimp were undercooked, but the pasta was good. We also had a baked eggplant, which was really good! The service was exceptional. The restaurant was busy, so the dishes took longer than expected, but I guess that's normal.

Amazing food, great ambiance and terrific service. I held my 45th company anniversary there in June. We were a party of 20+ and every single person had great things to say about the experience. Hats off to how well they treated and served auch a large party. Mangia forever at Cafe Avanti

I order delivery from here all the time and the food here always hits the spot! One of my simple favorites is their minestrone soup. It's hearty with plenty of vegetables and a good broth. Today, I also ordered the lobster ravioli with pink sauce and it was delicious. The food arrived piping hot like it was just served. The food is always fresh and delicious!

This is a local spot. The food was outstanding. Service was very attentive and our server was very knowledgeable of the menu items. Great alternative to eating at the hotels as it was just short uber right away (six minutes). Definitely a great experience all around!

Cafe Avanti is a beautiful, romantic spot with great food and run by great people. We had the pleasure of dining here on a Saturday night. There was good amount of seating and we felt safe and welcome. It's an indoor dining spot with tables and a nice bar area. Woodsy warm and inviting... There was parking available on the street. This is the kind of place to leisurely sip a glass of wine with your love. That's what I did! And I'd do it again here! Both of our dishes were well prepared. I had the Pollo Avanti which was very flavorful and healthy. My wife enjoyed her dish as well. We tried the Chianti and another one of their reds, both were very good. Again, my favorite thing here was the ambience and the classy vibe and family-run quality. Excelente!

Had dinner there with my friends. Food was fresh and delicious. Generous portions and nice presentation. Nice and cozy restaurant and friendly service staff Will definitely be back and friendly recommend this restaurant

The food was delicious, from the super fresh salad to an amazing piece of fish perfectly prepared. The service is where Avant stood out. Some of the best service I've experienced in Miami

This was my first time here, it was packed on a Wednesday night and the service was great. They make sure you are taken care of and get the food out quickly. The food is phenomenal, great quality. I will definitely be coming back :)

10th anniversary dinner. Service started off very good and there were maybe 10 table occupied. Waiter very attentive. Appetizer came out almost immediately- poplette- amazing. Entrees came. Chicken franchaise like dish and lobster ravioli. Chicken very good, lobster ravioli was tasty although had a piece of plastic like material in it. Desserts- tiramisu and cheesecake. Cheesecake was very good. Tiramisu tasty although dry- lady fingers were not soaked at all. Restaurant got busy- waiter never came to check on us or drink refills and took us 34 mins from the time we finished dessert to when we got the check. Would come back but wasn't the incredible experience we were expecting. Food 7.5, service 7 overall 7.

I have been here a few times as I work in the area and it is definitely a staple to 41st street. The food is very good Italian food. My favorite thing I've had is the carbonara which rivaled some of the carbonara dishes I have consumed in Rome, Italy. The waiter is always very attentive and every meal is finished with limoncello.

We always have the most amazing dinner here at Avanti. This gem has been around for a long long time, family owned and operated. The veal piccata is perfectly seasoned and just the right amount of veal and grilled veggies. If your a beach local check them out mid week, and avoid the crowds. Leave room for dessert, they don't bring the dessert table around after COVID- BUT their ricotta cheese cake is on point. Pro tip - order the dessert with your dinner, the cheese cake sometimes sells out. Enjoy!

I have been here before for dinners and a couple of parties. They have a full bar and its a large elegant space which is perfect for parties. The staff here is very professional and friendly. They offer a really nice menu with a good selection. I came here with a large group for dinner and I was able to try a lot of their dishes and everything that I have tried was delicious. Whenever I come here for parties it is always a good time. I normally order their salmon and it's always cooked perfectly. Each time I come here they have pretty busy. Definitely a great local place for Italian food.

We loved dinner here. Ambiance is classy, food is great, staff was attentive and friendly. We ate their twice on our visit.

Wow!! Delicious!! Old fashioned, best fashion of service and food! Ordered calamari that was so fresh and crispy! Shared the Avanti salad with hubby and son, enough to go around . Sat and relaxed for two hours without being rushed! Dinner entree was perfect, veal Marsala with grilled vegetable and Chicken parm that was enough for leftovers tomorrow!! The evening ended with a delicate tiramisu and the most Lucious lemony ricotta cheese cake both made on site which I prefer and love!!

This place is amazing! The food is consistently great, service is impeccable and it has a great neighborhood feeling! Jessica is always accommodating and n top of things! We chose this place to celebrate our wedding day after being together for 24 years! The carbonara is STELLAR! Highly recommended!

The place is not to big or not too small and it has romantic lighting. The service was excellent and the food was good. I had the papardella bolognese that was good, but I've had better. The lobster ravioli I found the pasta tough. The fettuccine Alfredo was good but I've had that done table side that was better. The desserts were very good the cheesecake and the carrot cake. The dirty martinis were not dirty enough, but still okay.

Had a lovely time dining in the private room of this restaurant. Walking into the private room was a similar experience to entering a hidden passage in Hogwarts. I was immediately impressed by the table layout, as i felt i was eating at the last supper. The placement of two separate forks and the largest spoon i've seen in my life, was a swanky touch and enhanced the experience. Apart from feeling like a mix of the School of Wizardry, and Jesus's last meal, the food was good.

Really good old school Italian. Nice ambiance, family friendly. Good bar. Food was super traditional and very good.

This is a fine Italian restaurant. The food and service are consistently very good. However, the noise level is unacceptable. I was there last evening with two guests from Washington, DC. We could not have a conversation because there were two tables with several loud children at each. The parents did not admonish their young children to moderate their voices and stop yelling. One of the reason I like to go to restaurants with friends is to enjoy conversation. Avanti, which claims to be a upscale restaurant, needs to refuse entry to young children. Parents should take them to McDonald's, not to a restaurant like Avanti. Avanti will lose customers if it doesn't rectify this situation. Even our waiter commented on the loud noise!

My first meal in Miami beach was here at Cafe Avanti Italian Restaurant. It was easy to find street parking. Such delightful atmosphere as it may seem most people were dressed very formal compare me which was more casual. Like most Italian restaurant we were served with warm delicious bread and olive oil on the side. As appetizer I had the fried calamari which was fresh. I ordered Linguine Con Vongole which is with little neck clams in a garlic clam broth. I like how their sauce was very garlicky and I think their pasta is tours the creamy side which became a bit hard for me to eat. Also the portion was pretty big. Overall I enjoyed my meal and wished my stomach was bit bigger since I really wanted to try their dessert but I was too full.

My husband and I are in Miami for the night as we begin our honeymoon. We were recommended Cafe Avanti by a friend who recently visited. We are SO GLAD we went. Hands down THE BEST Italian food we have ever had in our lives! Once you step into the restaurant, the ambiance and professionalism of the entire staff draws you in and captivates you to begin a wonderful experience. Everything was homemade from start to finish. As we were eating we realized just how incredible of an experience it is for the tastebuds to eat such high quality, fresh, made with love food compared to "the usual" in America (pumped with chemicals and lord knows what else). From the bread, to the calamari and Caesar salad for apps our pallets were dancing. Then came our main entrees, my husband with the chicken Parmesan and me with the bolognese. Wow. Just wow. Our mouths were in an ITALIAN HEAVEN that we didn't even know existed until now. We ate until we were so stuffed we would need to roll ourselves home but we just could not stop. We raved to our waiter, Todor, and spent some time getting to know him and hearing about the restaurant. He was DELIGHTFUL. Very professional, gave great recommendations, and even brought us out a complimentary dessert since it was the first night of our honeymoon. The rum cake he chose for us MELTED IN OUR MOUTHS. We will hands down be going to Cafe Avanti whenever we visit in the future and will make sure to send friends as well. Here we are less than 24 hours later and I'm already wishing we could go back. Thank you Todor and Cafe Avanti for the most INCREDIBLE experience and Italian dishes. We can't wait until next time!

What a wonderful meal. This was our first time here. The food here is better than any Italian food that we have back home. (Los Angeles) The service was also impeccable. We walked from The Fountainbleu Hotel (10 min walk) Do yourself a favor and give this place a try.

My husband and I dined at Cafe Avanti last night. The food was delicious ~ everything we ordered was over the top! Our waiter and staff were fantastic! We will be back soon!!

The food was excellent and the service was amazing! We had appetizers and four different main courses for dinner! All were exceptional!!

Enormous and delicious portions! Well worth the money. For delivery they are quick and efficient and listen to requests. Great food!

Thanks to the Yelp community for the recommendation of this spot for my birthday dinner in October. No frills and Miami Beach may not seem to go hand in hand, but it's refreshing to find a spot without the pretentiousness and sensory overload of a "typical" Miami restaurant. Definitely seemed like a place where the locals gather, which made the atmosphere that much more relaxed. From the Caesar salad appetizer to my lasagna (a piece of which my vegetarian dad even sampled and enjoyed) to my surprise birthday cake slice (props to the waiter for the kind gesture and for remembering when we said we were celebrating a birthday at the beginning of the meal), everything was wonderful. Will be sure to stop by next time I find myself in Miami (birthday or not).

Bravo, Cafe Avanti! We made our first visit to Cafe Avanti in early February 2021. It was splendid in all respects and the establishment deserves my time invested for glowing comments. I called (before open hours) to make a reservation and the call was returned later in the day, by Luis the owner! He confirmed our seating time. Upon arrival we were pleasantly greeted by Jessica, the Manager. She is Luis' daughter and has been working in the family restaurant since she became an early teen. Very pleasant. The decor was nicely Italian with tables spread far apart for Covid concerns. Excellent waiters who visited the table only when necessary (not too often, which we abhor). First, we shared the Antipasto Rustico which was substantial for us both. Excellent meats, cheeses and red peppers with olive oil. Next my wife ordered the Pollo Avanti which was delicious also, with a large portion of prosciutto and eggplant over the chicken breast. She ended up taking half home for another meal. We each had a glass of white wine, with large portions at a reasonable price by the glass. I ordered a mixed Seafood entree with mussels, calamari, shrimp and fish in a red broth over pasta. I barely ate half and I am a large eater. Excellent quality! We had no room for dolce. Before departing, the Owner came to our table and spoke with us for five minutes about the restaurant's history and his family's Cuban origin and settling in Boston originally. They have operated CA for over twenty years in MB. Our meal cost about $110 before tip but we felt it was surely worth it, plus we had dinner for the next night! We will return often as Cafe Avanti is now our local favorite in Miami Beach.

This is THE place to go for great food and great service. Bonus? You can actually hear yourself think and have a conversation. My friend who owns several bars/pubs in town comes HERE for the martinis...so you know they are good! Dessert cart is dangerous. The little bar area is always filled with interesting people if you are dining alone and the staff is first-class. No joke. I love their meatballs better than my own Sicilian Mother's!!! (Sorry Mom!) In fact, aside from their incredibly popular Chicken Parm, my favorite dish is their Cesar Salad with two meatballs. Sounds odd but trust me it's good! It's not on the menu, but as I said, their team is top notch and happy to make anything your way. As an additional aside, their catering is not to be missed. Having a party, hosting people after a funeral, or a last minute entertaining emergency...don't think twice. You can depend on Cafe Avanti to deliver...literally and figuratively. Locals have loved it for over 25 years. Any tourists who accidentally trip into it will consider the experience as memorable.

My grandmothers go - to dinner throughout the week. I have childhood memories of my dad eating the veal from this restaurant. I'll always remember my sisters complaining they hate this place, but always end up enjoying it. I personally get either a steak, or some kind of clam pasta. But everything is always great. Recommend this to all Miami Beach natives looking for a low key dive to enjoy themselves.

Walking into Avanti you will be greater by a very welcoming and professional staff. The food is great and the atmosphere has an old school neighborhood restaurant vibe.

Best American Italian food in all of Miami. Homemade pasta is unbelievable. The only restaurant you can find in Miami that's not hyped up and blasting music 24/7. My weekly secret spot. 10/10.

For starters the ambiance is very romantic and peaceful. I agree that there should be some Italian music to play while having dinner... We tried the veal meatballs that were highly recommended and they were great. Didn't blow my mind as I'm use too beef meatballs but they had their own unique taste that was delightful.. My wife had the Lobster Ravioli that was very tasteful, smooth sauce and great texture on the ravioli.. I tried the spicy shrimp spaghetti that was very good. The spicy pasta was not over the top, and held a strong yet flavorful taste. Do recommend if you like spicy.. Lastly, home made tiramisu allowed us to end the evening sat sifting our sweet tooth..

5 star dining and 5 star service. Fantastic Italian food right in Miami Beach. The servers are knowledge and friendly. Here is what we ordered: Apps: -Grilled Octopus: Perfectly cooked so it is not chewy and full of flavor with a light crispy outside. -Veal Meatballs: Incredible, the sauce was to die for as well. Very Moist and they are huge! -Caprese Salad: The Heirlooms were huge and perfectly ripe, the cheese so mild and easy to eat and it came with the perfect amount of basil and balsamic. Entrees: -Pesto Gnocchi: Very very good homemade Gnocchi and pesto. Not too oily. -Ravioli: Great creamy sauce with mushrooms. -Carbonara: Salty for my taste but bacon will do that! None the less it was amazing in small doses. Dessert: -Tiramisu: Very good and you can taste the rum in it. -Ricotta cheesecake: Not my first choice, but it had a great favor. -Napoleon: My personal favorite. Just the right about a sweet and flaky! They only make this on Saturdays so don't miss it! We will return again. The owner and his daughter who manages the restaurant were both very welcoming and friendly. A+, keep on keeping on! I want to try to clam pasta next time!

I didn't eat here. When we walked in, no one greeted or even acknowledged us for about 6 minutes. We eventually went to speak with someone ourselves and ultimately left. I'm not sure if it was a black thing or what.

We are from Chicago and always stop to eat here. The staff is amazing! Servers have been there for years! They always make us feel welcome with open arms and a hug!

Walked in here to grab dinner. We were seated immediately. It took a while to get menus. The service besides that was very good. The food was delicious and the wines were good. I'm sure I'll be back to this place soon. We had a salad and two pasta dishes. The pastas were really good and the salad was perfectly dressed. The servers were even nice enough to have the salad split for us.

A secret on 41st Street. A family owned business. Authentic Italian food, good quality, priced fairly. A neighborhood find! Pauline.

Great food from appetizers to desserts and amazing service. Would definitely come here again and tell all my friends about it. A must eat!

Yelp reviews took me to this place on my last night in Miami, and I am REALLY glad I decided to check it out. It is not far from the hotel where I was staying, but it is away from the beach and feels like more of a local hang out. Starter: The Lamb meatballs - the sauce was definitely fresh -excellent!!! Main: The sausage rigatoni - a huge portion, delicious. The shitake mushrooms added a lot to the flavor of the dish. Side: Spinach and mushrooms sauteed. VERY fresh tasting. I didn't finish them because the rest of the meal was filling. I had a house white wine- I had never had this type of white, and the server provided a sample. A generous pour. Service- It was sort of a long wait for food, and the table next to me was complaining about how long they were waiting for their food. In fairness, it was a Friday night and they were busy. The hostess apologized to them and told them there was a "mixup" in the kitchen with the salmon. I think they made the wrong dish or something. She was very attentive and apologetic, and I appreciated her sincerity in trying to make them happy.

3.85 Stars (but that's not an option)! Summary: Pro's: Excellent food, friendly service with great recommendations Con's: Takes a while to get your order, wine by glass is pricey We walked here from our hotel, trying to find something off the beaten path and more importantly, away from the insanity that is South Beach dinning (How many more times can someone offer me 30% off my meal???????). Nice atmosphere. Very friendly staff. We brought the kids and were a little under dressed (I'd put atmosphere at just above casual). Not sure if we missed it, but I'd list "no kids menu" as a con as well, but not major. It also took a long while to actually get our meals, BUT there were 8 of us. The carbonara was excellent. Wet sauce, but really enjoyed it. My son destroyed the ravioli. All the meals were excellent. But I'd return for my meal (carbonara). But the highest praise came from my sister-in-law and my wife (they can't be the same person right? yuck). The tiramisu was the best they ever had. And they are full blooded Italians, parents born in Italy Italian. They wanted to return the next day just to get some to take back to the room. Would recommend. Prices, even without the 30% off EVERYONE offers in South Beach, will be solid (and lower than SB).

Favorite spot to go to for a nice Italian dinner in Miami! Love their chicken parm and their great service. This is an earlier dinner spot for sure and is nice and quiet. The bar is toward the back with two TVs which allows for a slightly more casual vibe than at the front of the restaurant. Great prices and huge portions!

I was really impressed by the quality of the food and service here. Kiddos and I in MB for some warm weather and looking for a place to get some Italian. My youngest googled up this place. Very traditional and warm decor. Waiters are dressed in classic black and white. We were immediately and warmly greeted and shown our table. It was mid week but still a significant amount of people at 9pm. I started with the Octopus. It came served hot in a cast iron dish and was insanely tender. I couldn't get the kids to join but I savored every bite. Well don and served with copious amounts of lemon. For my main course, I chose Fra Diavlo. It cam with a bitting sauce and perfectly cooked shrimp. The fresh pasta was also perfect. Great place, I would highly recommend if you mid MB.

Very nice. Service was superb. One of the rare times I did not feel rushed at all. The waiter was super knowledgeable when I asked specifics a out the dishes. The food was awesome. Very good quality and the taste was very authentic. Yummy! Definitely a place I would recommend.

Incredible service. We asked what color sauce was in a dish and the waiter just said "you tell me what color you want". Lasagna was awesome and we got sausage on the side to add to it. Highly recommend the food and the service. We did have some extra food to go that they accidentally threw away but they immediately began making us more fresh stuff to go. We were in a hurry and couldn't wait. I reserve 5 stars for the best of the best but this as close as I get to a 5 without giving them a 5. Truly an awesome place.

The atmosphere was awesome and the restaurant in whole lived up to the expectations seen in previous reviews. The pasta was awesome and the Caesar Salad and Chocolate Cake was our favorite!! The experience was truly great and we will be returning!